Double-sided blanket clip

ABSTRACT

A double-sided blanket clip including a base member having a first surface disposed opposite a second surface. The clip further including a first actuating element and a second actuating element. The clip further including a first actuating member coupled on the first surface of the base member via the first actuating element so as to form a first clipping element having a first securing end, and a second actuating member coupled on the second surface of the base member via the second actuating element to as to form a second clipping element having a second securing end. Further, each of the first and second clipping elements being configured to be actuated between a release position and a securing position.

FIELD

The present invention is directed to a clip, and more specifically a double-sided clip.

BACKGROUND

Clips are useful reusable devices for easily securing objects in a temporary manner Although clips can be used to secure any item, one typical function is to clip garments and blankets in place. Parents often use clips to fasten a blanket to an infant or child. This may include clipping the blanket to itself, or to other items such as a baby harness, a car seat, etc. At times, secure fastening of a blanket is facilitated by the use of multiple clips. However, some instances may optimally involve placing clips facing in different directions in a single location. This can be difficult since multiple clips facing in opposite directions may not be able to occupy the same location.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a double-sided blanket clip. The clip provides two clipping elements disposed in opposite directions to facilitate clipping in multiple directions.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a double-sided blanket clip including a base member having a first surface disposed opposite a second surface. The clip further includes a first actuating element and a second actuating element. Further, a first actuating member is coupled on the first surface of the base member via the first actuating element so as to form a first clipping element having a first securing end, and a second actuating member is coupled on the second surface of the base member via the second actuating element to as to form a second clipping element having a second securing end. Further, each of the first and second clipping elements is configured to be actuated between a release position and a securing position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more readily understood from the detailed description of exemplary embodiments presented below considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a double-sided blanket clip in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a double-sided blanket clip in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 shows a side view of a double-sided blanket clip in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention showing a clip in a release position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed to a double-sided blanket clip having two clipping elements facing in opposite directions.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a double-sided blanket clip 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The double-sided blanket clip 100 may be used to secure a blanket or any other garment to itself or another item in a temporary manner The double-sided blanket clip 100 is ergonomically shaped so that it can be easily and comfortably actuated by a user. Although the Figures show the clip 100 as having an oval shape, the clip 100 can be made to take any shape so that it may have more applications. For example, the clip 100 may take a smaller, thin and narrow shape so that the clip 100 can be placed into smaller spaces. Alternatively, the clip 100 can be made wide so that a larger area can be secured by each clipping element 110. Further, the base member 102 may be curved, as shown in FIG. 2, for improved ergonomics, aesthetics, and a more compact design.

As shown in FIG. 1, the double-sided blanket clip 100 includes a base member 102, and two actuating members 104. Each actuating member 104 includes an actuating end 106 and a gripping end 108, and is coupled to the base member 102 on opposite sides of the base member 102 to form two clipping elements 110. The gripping end 108 and the end of the base member 102 opposite each gripping end 108 form a securing end 130 of the clipping elements 110. The actuating member 104 can be actuated between release and securing positions. The securing position (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) allows the clipping elements 110 to secure objects via a frictional force between at the securing end 130, i.e., between each actuating member 104 (at the gripping end 108) and the base member 102. Further, although the base member 102 is shown to be a solid structure, in an alternative embodiment, the base member may include a lockable rotating mechanism through which the clipping elements 110 can be rotated relative to each other. This allows the clipping elements 110 to be adjustable so that the clipping elements 110 can be configured at various angles in increase the versatility of the double-sided clip 100.

The actuating members 104 are coupled to the base member 102 via actuating elements 112. The base member 102 may also include a raised section 114 on each surface of the base member 102 to facilitate the mounting of the actuating members 104. The actuating elements 112 couple the actuating members 104 to the base member 102, and allow for the actuating member 104 to be actuated between release and securing positions relative to the base member 102. The actuating elements 112 may include a pivot, a hinge, or any type of articulating joint that allows each actuating member 104 to be actuated relative to the base member. Each actuating element 112 may include additional features to effectuate the release and securing positions of the clipping elements 110. These features may include any resistance or locking mechanism, such as a spring, a cam, a ratchet, a snap lock, etc.

In an alternative embodiment, the clip 100 may include a single common actuating element 112 configured to couple both actuating members 104 to the base member 102. In this embodiment, the common actuating element 112 is accessible from both sides of the base member 102 so that both actuating members 104 can be coupled via the common actuating element 112 to opposite sides of the base member 102. The operation of the clip 100 having a single common actuating element 112 to couple both actuating member 104 is the same as the clip 100 having dedicated actuating elements 112 for each actuating member 104.

In an exemplary embodiment, each actuating element 112 includes a spring, and provides the actuation action of the actuation members 104. The springs included in the actuating elements 112 provide a force that biases the actuating members 104 in a securing position. Actuation of the actuating members 104 into a release position is accomplished via application of a force on the actuation end 106 of the actuating members 104 sufficient to overcome the biasing force of the spring. As a force is applied on the actuation end 106 of the actuating members 104, the actuation of the actuating members 104 is performed via a lever action with the actuating elements 112 acting as the pivot, separating the gripping ends 108 from the base member 102. Actuation of the actuating member 104 allows an item to be secured to be inserted into the clipping elements 110, or an item that is being secured by the clipping elements 110 to be removed. In securing an item, after actuation of the actuating member, the item to be secured is inserted into the gap created between the gripping end 108 of the actuating member 104 and the base member 102 at the securing ends 130. The force applied on the actuating end 106 of the actuating member 104 is released, and the spring biases the actuating member 104 in a securing position to grasp the item between the gripping end 108 of the actuating member 104 and the base member 102 at the securing ends 130. Further, each actuation end 106 may also include a recess 107 to provide comfort and a secure position from which to actuate the actuation members 104.

Preferably, in the above embodiment, the spring is rated with a tension of less than 6 pounds. A tension in this range would cause the clip to disengage in the event that a blanket is wrapped too tightly around a baby. This can protect against a baby being possibly choked or otherwise harmed by a blanket that is wrapped too tight.

In addition, the base member 102 and the actuating member 104 may include securing elements 120. The securing elements 120 may be disposed on the base member 102 and the actuating members 104 at the securing ends 130. Specifically, the securing elements 120 are disposed on the gripping ends 108 and at ends of the base member 102 that are opposite the gripping ends 108. In FIG. 1, the securing elements 120 are each shown to include a recess 122 and a protrusion 124. Although the securing elements 120 are shown to include a recess 122 and a protrusion 124, the securing elements 120 may be any material or structure that increases the frictional force of the clipping elements 110 so that provide a stronger hold. The base member 102 may also include a complementary securing element 120 having a recess 122 and a protrusion 124. Although the securing element 120 is shown to include the recess 122 and the protrusion 124, the securing element 120 may include other features that increase the securing force of each clipping element 110, such as a series of ribs, a material with increased tactile grip, a plurality of teeth, etc.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the double-sided clip 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the clipping elements 110 are in a securing position with the gripping ends 108 of the actuating members 104 making contact with the base member 102 at the securing ends 130. The side view also shows the actuating elements 112 about which actuating members 104 are actuated, and securing elements 120 having a recess 122 and a protrusion 124. FIG. 2 further shows the curved design of an exemplary embodiment of the base member 102, and the raised portions 114.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the double-sided clip 100 with the clipping element 110 in a release position. In this view, actuating member 104 is actuated via actuating element 112 upon application of a force on the actuation end 106. The actuation of the actuating member 104 separates the protrusions 124 of the gripping end 108 into a release position. This permits items to be inserted into the clipping element 110 so that it can be secured, and also permits removal of items that had been secured by the clipping element 110.

Thus, while there have been shown, described, and pointed out novel features of the present invention as applied to several embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the illustrated embodiments, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Substitutions of elements from one embodiment to another are also fully intended and contemplated. The invention is defined with regard to the appended claims, and equivalents of the recitations therein. 

1. A double-sided blanket clip, comprising: a base member having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being disposed opposite the second surface; a first actuating element; a second actuating element; a first actuating member coupled on the first surface of the base member via the first actuating element so as to form a first clipping element having a first securing end; and a second actuating member coupled on the second surface of the base member via the second actuating element to as to form a second clipping element having a second securing end, wherein each of the first and second clipping elements is configured to be actuated between a release position and a securing position.
 2. The double-sided blanket clip as recited in claim 1, wherein the first securing end is disposed opposite the second securing end.
 3. The double-sided blanket clip as recited in claim 1, wherein the base member is adjustable so that the first clipping element is rotatable relative to the second clipping element.
 4. The double-sided blanket clip as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the first and second actuating elements includes a spring.
 5. The double-sided blanket clip as recited in claim 4, wherein the spring exerts a force biasing the respective clipping element in a securing position.
 6. The double-sided blanket clip as recited in claim 5, wherein each of the first and second actuating members includes a respective actuating end disposed opposite the respective securing end, and the actuating end being configured to actuate the respective clipping element into the release position via an application of a force overcoming the biasing force of the spring.
 7. The double-sided blanket as recited in claim 6, further comprising a recess disposed on the actuating end.
 8. The double-sided blanket as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one securing element disposed at each of the securing ends.
 9. The double-sided blanket as recited in claim 8, wherein the securing element includes a recess and a protrusion.
 10. The double-sided blanket as recited in claim 1, wherein the base member includes a raised portion on each surface.
 11. The double-sided blanket as recited in claim 10, wherein the first and second actuating members are coupled to the base member via the raised portion.
 12. A double-sided blanket clip, comprising: a base member having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being disposed opposite the second surface; a least one actuating element; a first actuating member coupled on the first surface of the base member via the at least one actuating element so as to form a first clipping element having a first securing end; and a second actuating member coupled on the second surface of the base member via the at least one actuating element to as to form a second clipping element having a second securing end, wherein each of the first and second clipping elements is configured to be actuated between a release position and a securing position. 